Writers

Record-breaker Naholo thriving in the south

Lynn McConnell 11 May 2018 Getty Images

Investec Super Rugby meant there was never any respite as the competition ground through the season and the Highlanders face another tough South African test, but on home soil on Saturday against the Lions.

Highlanders record try scorer, and re-signed wing Waisake Naholo is expecting a typical approach from the Lions.

In a season in which New Zealand's wing stocks have grown Naholo said he was well aware of the strength in that position. He had been impressed with Ben Lam's play this season with the Hurricanes while Tevita Li, his Highlanders teammate, had also been playing well.

Naholo has become the Highlanders' top try scorer, breaking Jeff Wilson's record of 35 tries. Naholo came into the 2018 season on 31 tries and broke the record against the Brumbies.

When he was preparing to play the Brumbies in Dunedin, at which time he had equalled the record, he met Wilson for the first time when he approached him and told him to keep going hard to break the record.

His success rate had become a point of humour in the side. He said lock Tom Franklin told him the forwards were doing all the work getting him the ball and setting him up for tries and they needed to be given more credit.

Having achieved similar cult figure status that Wilson enjoyed around 20 years ago, Naholo said he enjoyed hearing the Forsyth Barr crowd chanting his name. It was something that lifted him as a player, and in the enclosed stadium it tended to be very loud.

GAME DAY! Get your tickets and head along to Forsyth Barr to see the @Highlanders take on the Lions tonight!